Tag: Energy security

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Nextracker Launches R&D Center for Solar Excellence

WriteCanvas News

Nextracker, a global provider of intelligent solar trackers, foundations, and software solutions, has inaugurated India’s first Center for Solar Excellence (CFSE) in Hyderabad.

Spanning across 13 acres this state-of-the-art facility will serve to advance solar tracker technology, accelerating the region’s energy transition.

The CFSE will feature a 30,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art lab, a comprehensive solar tracker installation, and training facilities encompassing the entire project lifecycle—from structural, mechanical, and electrical design to construction, operation, and maintenance.

Working closely with supply chain partners, customers, and third-party laboratories, Nextracker’s cross-functional team of experts will develop, test, and commercialize proprietary technologies.

The CFSE will also play a significant role in fostering local workforce development by delivering regular PowerworX Academy installer training courses. Seasoned instructors will provide cross-functional, hands-on instruction to regionally based engineering procurement and construction companies (EPCs) and third-party installers on solar tracker best practices for design, installation, commissioning, software, and operations and maintenance of advanced PV tracker systems the company said in a press release.

Stakeholders’ comment:

Howard Wenger, President, Nextracker, said, “… This state-of-the-art facility advances our ability to optimize our local customer’s needs into the product design. Today, Nextracker has over 35 reliable utility-scale projects delivered and under fulfillment in India with over 5 GW of projects, and we have achieved 95% content under Make in India for our products. Through this new center, we aim to develop high-performance solar trackers that significantly enhance energy capture, particularly during critical peak periods in the early morning and late afternoon.”

Shripad Naik, Minister of State, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Government of India, said, “Nextracker’s Center for Solar Excellence is a forward-looking initiative that will help India’s clean energy journey. Through cutting-edge research and development, this center will drive innovation, making solar more affordable and accessible. As India strives to meet its ambitious 2030 renewable energy goals, R&D efforts like these are critical to ensuring the reliability and performance of our solar assets. This collaboration exemplifies how industry and government can work together to advance our renewable energy mission while protecting the environment and ensuring energy security.”

Rajeev Kashyap, SVP and General Manager, India, Middle East and Africa, Nextracker, said, “High uptime of solar projects is extremely critical for our customers. We are committed to providing advanced technologies and services that help power plant owners, EPCs, and other stakeholders optimize the performance of their assets. By using local expertise and infrastructure, we aim to propel India and surrounding markets towards a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. Our focus is also to help develop a skilled workforce, bolster manufacturing capability in the region, and advance product and quality planning (APQP) training and skill development.”

Subrahmanyam Pulipaka, CEO, the National Solar Energy Federation of India, said, “Focused research and development of this nature is critical for India, not only to accelerate the deployment of solar energy but also to ensure that cutting-edge technology and high-quality standards are maintained throughout the process. The real-world testing and validation capabilities offered by Nextracker’s new facility will play a crucial role in driving the adoption of advanced solar solutions, ultimately contributing to the country’s renewable energy goals.”

Today, 95% of Nextracker’s tracker components are manufactured in India, supported by robust local partnerships that enable more than 10 GW of annual production capacity. The company has two other R&D and test lab facilities in Northern California (headquarters) and Sao Paulo, Brazil. In comparable size and scope, these facilities enable Nextracker to incubate and commercialize PV technologies, localized for regional needs and demand.

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Thermal Power Back in Focus

Sonal Desai

A focus to attain energy security is forcing India to refocus on thermal energy.

Home to over 140 billion people, India’s priority is making electricity accessible to all, which is why thermal power is gaining traction in India.

With support from government policies and private sector investments, the segment is set to witness a huge spike.

The country is gearing up to enhance its thermal power capacity by 80 gigawatts (GW) by the year 2032, in response to consistently rising electricity demand across the country.

India’s 2023-24 Economic Survey aimed to target diversified energy sources, including thermal power, coal, to minimize risks and pursue low-emission pathways.

Data:

IBEF estimated that India will need to invest in thermal power infrastructure to meet future energy demand scenarios. It states that thermal power remains crucial for India, accounting for 75% of the country’s total power, despite the transition towards renewable energy.

In March 2024, IBEF predicted that by 2030, India will require an extra 70 GW of thermal capacity, or 56% of installed electricity generation, to meet its 7.5% annual demand.

Government support:

Thermal energy received a renewed impetus in this year’s Union budget.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced several initiatives to enhance thermal power.

These include:

• The R&D funding announced in the interim budget — of Rs 13,208 crore — will be made available for this sector
• The FM approved fiscal support and indigenous technology for Advanced Ultra Super Critical (AUSC) thermal power plants
• Public-private partnerships to set up Bharat small reactors and conduct research and development in nuclear power
• New regulations to transition from energy efficiency targets to direct emission targets

Private sector at play:

According to IBEF, the private sector in the power industry in India generates 52.4% of the country’s power, whereas States and the Centre generate 24.1% and 23.4%, respectively.

Of late, private sector companies like Adani Power, JSW Energy, and Tata Power have increased focus on thermal energy to meet rising electricity demand. C-suite commitment during analyst and IR interviews to increase focus on thermal power boosted industry confidence in the segment.

For example, Adani Power plans to double its capacity from 15 GW to 30 GW by 2030. The company has acquired Lanco Amarkantak Power and Coastal Energen, and is exploring further acquisitions worth 1.1 GW.

JSW Energy is considering adding greenfield capacity in thermal space, pending opportunities. The company’s decision to invest in thermal projects depends on power purchase agreements, as setting up new plants takes time.

Tata Power which has not yet added new thermal capacities, will look at new projects based on opportunities and returns.

Our take:

While India has fared better in energy transition compared to its global peers, it is a reality that coal-based energy production is going to be the mainstay for India, at least for the next decade. All the same, WriteCanvas is hopeful that India will achieve the target of
50% renewables in the energy basket by 2030.

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India to Develop Taxonomy for Climate Finance

Sonal Desai

The Budget 2024-25, for the first time saw focused measures for climate mitigation.

The announcement of the taxonomy for climate finance is a significant step by the finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman.

The Government of India announced creation of taxonomy for climate finance to increase the availability of funding for climate change adaptation and greenhouse gas emission reduction.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the initiative during her Budget speech today. She said that the taxonomy will increase the amount of capital available for climate adaptation and mitigation. It will also help the nation fulfil its climate commitments and make the transition to a greener economy.

The fight against climate change requires an energy transition. This translates to supporting multiple sources of renewable energy. To facilitate the transition, especially with a focus on solar, Ms Sitharaman suggested adding more capital goods to the list of exempt goods to be used in the domestic production of solar panels and cells to facilitate the energy transition.

As a first step, the government intends to release a policy paper outlining suitable energy transition routes that strike a balance between the needs of economic expansion, job creation, and environmental sustainability. This is in-line with the plan to maintain strong and more resource-efficient economic growth, and energy security in terms of availability, affordability, and accessibility, as outlined in the interim budget,.

It plans to introduce a pumped storage policy to support renewable energy integration.

Nuclear in limelight:

After a long gap, nuclear power has found its way in budget announcement.

Ms Sitharaman announced significant initiatives for nuclear energy development in the Union Budget 2024, marking a significant step towards diversifying India’s energy mix.

The goal of this strategic change is to increase the share of nuclear energy in India’s power generation mix.

As per the Department of Atomic Energy, nuclear energy is the fifth-largest source of electricity for India which contributes about 3% of the total electricity generation in the country. India has over 22 nuclear reactors in 7 power plants across the country which produces 6780 MW of nuclear power.
Contextually, the government intends to collaborate with the private sector to establish Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs) and advance small modular reactor technology for nuclear power. The objective of this initiative is to improve India’s energy mix and support domestic nuclear technology.

On a negative note, the FM completely skipped mention about the wind power and other energy segments.

Presently, renewable energy projects can only receive loans of up to Rs 30 crore, even though the RBI has designated it as a priority secto

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India can Become a Circular Economy Hub in the Solar Industry

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India has the potential to become a significant center for the circular economy in the solar industry. Robust recycling of increasing solar waste is critical for India’s energy security.

Findings:

By 2030, India hopes to have installed about 292 GW of solar power, so solar PV waste management is essential for social, economic, and environmental reasons. In a new study, “Enabling a Circular Economy in India’s Solar Industry: Assessing the Solar Waste Quantum,” the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) estimates the amount of solar waste generated in India specifically from different streams, excluding manufacturing.

The authors note that cumulative waste from India’s existing and new solar energy capacity (deployed between FY24 and FY30) could reach up to 600 kilotonnes by 2030—equivalent to filling up 720 Olympic-size swimming pools—as the country expands its renewable capacity to go net-zero.

The remaining 260 kilotonnes of waste will originate from newly installed capacity during this decade. India has a chance to secure robust solar supply chains and become a prominent hub for the circular economy in the solar industry, the study states.

The five states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu will produce the majority of this waste. By 2030, the waste from India’s installed solar capacity alone will reach 340 kilotonnes, with the majority of the minerals—silicon, 12–18 tonnes of silver, and 16 tonnes of cadmium and tellurium—being essential to the country.

Although solar modules have a 25-year design life, some experience an early end of life as a result of damage sustained during transportation, handling, and project operations. CEEW suggests that the Indian solar sector should set up reverse logistics, storage, dismantling centers, and recycling plants to get ready for these new duties.

Data:

The study indexes 503 urban local bodies from 10 states with a treated used water reuse policy
Western, north-western states and Karnataka lead, with eastern states catching up
90% of ULBs, however, need targeted financial planning & investments for used water management

The way forward:

The industry should explore innovative financing options and business plans for solar waste management. Furthermore, to precisely map conceivable waste generation centers and strategically deploy waste management infrastructure, a database of the installed solar capacity should be updated regularly. This database should contain details like module technology, manufacturer, and commissioning date.

India has already started to address the waste with several initiatives. The E-waste Management Rules 2022, published by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) last year, will control the disposal of waste solar PV cells and modules in India. The extended producer responsibility (EPR) framework for waste management is mandated by these regulations for manufacturers of solar cells and modules.

CEEW experts:

Dr Arunabha Ghosh, CEO, CEEW, said, “India must proactively address solar waste, not just as an environmental imperative but as a strategic necessity for ensuring energy security and building a circular economy. As we witness the remarkable growth of solar from only 4 GW in March 2015 to 73 GW in December 2023, robust recycling mechanisms become increasingly crucial. They safeguard renewable ecosystems, create green jobs, enhance mineral security, foster innovation, and build resilient, circular supply chains.”

Neeraj Kuldeep, Senior Programme Lead, CEEW, said, “India’s G20 Presidency had identified a circular economy as a thrust area for sustainable development. A circular solar industry and responsible waste management will maximize resource efficiency and make domestic supply chains resilient. The CEEW study provides robust evidence of the opportunity in solar waste management. However, solar recycling technologies and the industry are still at a nascent stage and require policy push and support.”

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Green Hydrogen on a Slow Track?

Sonal Desai

On the occasion of the 75th Independence Day celebration, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a critical announcement to make “India Energy Independent Nation by 2047.” A nation that is on an energy transformation journey has integrated different energy sources, including green hydrogen.

India, the world’s third-largest economy in terms of energy needs, faces a 35% surge in energy demand by 2030. It requires non-traditional energy generation methods to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.

The country has set ambitious targets to phase down fossil fuel consumption. The set targets are 50% of power generation from RE, 5 million tonnes of hydrogen, and 30% of EV penetration by 2030.

India constituted the National Green Hydrogen Mission in the year 2022 as an answer to energy security and emission reduction. The country, in the last budget (2023 February), has allocated Rs 197 billion for the mission. And it aims to be an exporting hub for green hydrogen.

However, the country’s green hydrogen production is lagging behind its target.

Challenges

  • The cost factor
  • Storage cost
  • Tax rebates and subsidies
  • Duty cuts
  • The gap in demand from the industry
  • Investment challenges
  • Technology maturity
  • R&D and innovation

The cost of green hydrogen is twice as high as gray hydrogen, with 30-50% going towards electrolyzer costs and the remaining towards renewable electricity.

To supply (round-the-clock) RTC energy, India must reduce the cost of energy storage. Thanks to indirect cost subsidies, batteries and other energy-storing devices could become less expensive. Customs duty exemptions or goods and services taxes are other possible forms of intervention.

A new report titled Green Hydrogen: Enabling Measures Roadmap for Adoption in India suggests ways to increase green hydrogen capacity in the country.

Authors Sachin Kotak, Partner, Bain & Company, and Jörgen Sandström, Head, Transforming Industrial Ecosystems, World Economic Forum, recommend a reduction in production costs to $2 per kg, with a direct subsidy of $0.50/kg for early adopters.

What will drive green hydrogen in the country?

Four types of users are likely to drive green hydrogen adoption: existing gray hydrogen users, industrial processors, transportation providers, and power and heating companies. Demand-side interventions should be tailored for each user, such as promoting blended hydrogen, which combines green and gray hydrogen with minimal impact on final product costs.

According to the authors, industrial clusters, consisting of co-located companies, can significantly reduce transportation and storage infrastructure costs, offer tech scale-up opportunities, share risk/resources, and optimize energy demand.

Responsible for 30% of global CO2 emissions, these clusters can accelerate green hydrogen adoption. The Transitioning Industrial Clusters Towards Net Zero initiative encourages participation. India could encourage cluster participation by allowing companies to bid for incentives and sharing success stories. The EU’s Hydrogen Backbone program could also benefit.

Four types of users are likely to drive green hydrogen adoption: existing gray hydrogen users, industrial processors, transportation providers, and power and heating companies. Demand-side interventions should be tailored for each user, such as promoting blended hydrogen, which combines green and grey hydrogen with minimal impact on final product costs.

India’s low-cost renewable energy, skilled workforce, and abundant land make it a potential hub for green hydrogen derivative exports. To capitalize, stakeholders should improve port infrastructure, allowing green hydrogen and ammonia manufacturers to establish storage bunkers near ports.

Subsidies:

More actions, such as increased PLI scheme subsidy support, are required to lower the cost of electrolyzers drastically and, consequently, green hydrogen.

India should encourage green hydrogen adoption and disincentivize carbon-intensive energy sources by diverting subsidies and funds towards green energy transition through a comprehensive carbon-tax regime.

Additionally, the country can increase direct subsidies for early adopters to drive down the cost of electrolyzers. During the first year of electrolyzer production, the Indian government provided $54/kW in subsidies through a production-linked incentive (PLI). The first tranche operated from July to October of 2023. Nevertheless, the cost of producing green hydrogen has only decreased by $0.1/kg thanks to this subsidy. To significantly lower the cost of electrolyzers and, consequently, green hydrogen, further interventions are required, such as increased subsidy support through the PLI scheme.

The National Green Hydrogen Mission:

The Indian government launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission in 2022 to address energy security and combat emissions in hard-to-abate sectors, but there is limited on-the-ground traction.

The 2022 national program aims to reduce dependence on imports of fossil fuel and feedstock and create export opportunities for Green Hydrogen and its derivatives to help the world fight climate.

It must be noted that as part of its Union Budget for 2023, India removed customs taxes on imported lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, potentially leading to a 20% price drop. Similarly, to promote the production of green hydrogen, India may exempt imported battery storage parts for RTC renewable energy.

In a nutshell:

  1. India’s green hydrogen production costs are currently $4-5/kg, double the cost of gray hydrogen.
  2. To reduce production to $2/kg, India could lower energy storage, provide renewable electricity, and implement indirect subsidies.
  3. Increase direct subsidies for early adopters to reduce electrolyzer costs.
  4. Minimize costs related to conversion, storage, and transport of green hydrogen and its derivatives by creating industrial clusters, promoting blended hydrogen, and capitalizing on India’s export potential.
  5. Divert investments away from carbon-intensive alternatives and into greener pathways through a comprehensive carbon-tax regime.
  6. Implementing easier measures can significantly impact India’s transition from an energy importer to an exporter, creating a win-win solution for energy security, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.
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Energy conservation

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Energy conservation: Best cost-effective option

Sonal Desai

When it comes to energy, conservation is the more optimal option for a country like India where the energy demand is growing with every passing day. Remember, cost-effective energy production adds to your monthly budget. So as the slogan says—Save Energy, Save India.

India celebrates the 33rd National Energy Conservation Day today. The Government of India through the Ministry of Power, instituted it on December 14, 1991, as an initiative to promote energy efficiency and conserve power.

33 years on, the country has come a somewhat long way. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), India’s economy is already 10 percent more energy efficient than both the global and G20 average. India took less time to go from half to full electricity access than other major economies.

India’s energy efficiency market is worth INR 1.5 lakh crore, with energy service companies (ESCOs) only tapping 5% of its potential. India ranks 67th globally in the World Economic Forum’s Energy Transition Index, with momentum for sustainability, energy security, and equity. The country is the third global producer of renewable energy, with non-fossil fuel sources accounting for over 40% of its electricity capacity. Coal, oil, and solid biomass account for over 80% of India’s energy needs. It is the third largest electricity producer in the world with around 420 GW of installed power. 44% of the total installed capacity is from non-fossil sources. As per Power Minister, the country aims to achieve 50% from non-fossil fuels by 2030.

This was made possible because of the policy support and participation from the private sector.

The energy policy of India is to increase the locally produced energy in India and attain energy security (reduce energy poverty), with more focus on developing alternative sources of energy, particularly nuclear, solar, and wind energy. Net energy import dependency was 40.9% in 2021-22.

Here’s a look at other initiatives:

The government agency that takes the lead in promoting energy efficiency programs and ratings, The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has introduced various initiatives to promote energy efficiency in energy-intensive industries.

These include the Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) scheme, Market Transformation for Energy Efficiency (MTEE), Energy Efficiency Financing Platform (EEFP), and Framework for Energy Efficient Economic Development (FEEED). PAT is expected to serve as a valuable business model for energy efficiency programs, as standards and labeling of equipment and appliances have revolutionized the market.

The National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE) under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) aims to strengthen the market for energy efficiency and foster innovative business models.

The BEE and NCERT are also promoting energy efficiency in schools through Energy Clubs and preparing materials for inclusion in NCERT’s science syllabi and textbooks.

The government has also launched the UJALA scheme to promote energy-efficient LED bulbs, and electric vehicles, and the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan to achieve national fuel security. Haryana has been selected for the National Energy Conservation Award (NECA) 2023 for its outstanding performance in the State Energy Efficiency Index.

But is everything hunky dory?

Sanjay Vashist, Director, Climate Action Network South Asia, has opined that India has always had a clear stance on coal, and it was instrumental in getting the word “phase-down” substituted for “phase-out” in the Glasgow COP26 cover text. India cannot agree to the developed countries’ attempt to link the pledge’s expansion of renewable energy to a reduction in coal use, he argued.

Contextually, two years later, India and China did not sign a pledge to triple global renewable energy, despite the G20 mentioning the need during the Indian presidency. India cannot be part of a pledge calling for the phase-down of coal power, cessation of investment in new coal-fired power plants, or reduced unabated fossil fuels by the middle of the century. The country plans to build more coal-based power plants to meet increasing electricity demand. In the next year, it is expected to add 17GW of coal-fired power production. However, India is one of the 118 countries that signed the pledge to triple RE generation by 2030 in COP28 concluded in Dubai

Back home, one of the most important global issues that National Energy Conservation Day helps to mitigate is climate change by promoting energy-efficient technologies and practices. Lower carbon emissions from reduced energy use contribute to the fight against global warming and its effects.

Energy efficiency and conservation are two different strategies, but they both have the power to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. By lowering greenhouse gas emissions that may be harmful to the atmosphere, benefits not only the domestic economy but also the environment.

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COP28, Fossil fuels, Energy transition

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COP28: Phasing Out or Phasing Down Fossil Fuels?

Renjini Liza Varghese

The annual event, – Conference of Parties COP28, no doubt, will be a critical crossroads for energy transition.

Starting tomorrow (30 November to 12 December), the signatories will assemble in Dubai to deliberate and conclude on substantial action to mitigate climate change. The Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, also will be present during the first 2 days. It may be business as usual for those who are offering their first-ever review. The decibel levels may rise when the bossiest polluters (China, US) are asked to commit more to the loss and damage fund.

I believe that the debate on phasing out versus phasing down fossil fuels taking center stage at COP 28 this year. While the decision to completely phase out will be a bold and decisive step towards a cleaner, energy future, phasing down offers a more pragmatic approach, particularly for developing nations like India.

It is a fact that like many other developing countries, India’s energy landscape is currently dominated by fossil fuels, with coal alone accounting for 49% of electricity generation. The country’s ambitious renewable energy targets, aiming for 500 GW of installed capacity by 2030, are commendable. However, the sheer scale of India’s energy demand necessitates a gradual transition, which balances environmental protection and economic growth.

According to me, phasing down fossil fuels, rather than an abrupt phase-out approach, presents a more viable strategy. This approach allows the country to utilize its existing fossil fuel infrastructure while simultaneously investing in cleaner energy sources like renewables and hydrogen. The gradual reduction in fossil fuel reliance ensures a smooth transition without jeopardizing energy security.

The United Nations report, projecting continued fossil fuel production growth until 2030 for coal and 2050 for oil and gas, further supports the phasing-down approach. This projection highlights the need for a realistic transition timeline that aligns with global fossil fuel production trends.

Assessing countries’ climate mitigation goals only after fossil fuel production peaks makes sense. Because, by that time, nations will have a clearer roadmap for their energy transition and will have developed sustainable solutions like hydrogen to meet rising energy demands.

That is why I expect COP28 to delve into the phasing out versus phasing down debate, with discussions on stocktaking, commitments from major emitters like China and the US, and the loss and damage fund. I also see the anti-ESG lobbying taking center stage during this year. However, the real impetus for actionable change is likely to emerge from the phasing out versus phasing down conversations.

Key Takeaways:

Phasing down fossil fuels offers a more pragmatic approach to energy transition for developing countries like India.

India’s energy needs necessitate a gradual transition that balances environmental sustainability with economic growth.

Assessing climate mitigation goals after fossil fuel production peaks provides a more realistic timeline.

COP28 is expected to be a critical turning point in the global energy transition.

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ADNOC, Carbon capture, Net Zero

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New ADNOC Projects to operate with Net Zero Emissions

WriteCanvas News

ADNOC has announced the final investment decision and award of contracts for the Hail and Ghasha offshore development project.

The project:

Hail and Ghasha are part of Abu Dhabi’s Ghasha Concession. The concession is set to produce more than 1.5 billion standard cubic feet per day (BSCFD) of gas before the end of the decade. It will contribute to UAE’s gas self-sufficiency and ADNOC’s gas growth and export expansion plans.

Hail and Ghasha’s carbon capture will aid ADNOC’s carbon management strategy, establishing a unique platform to accelerate UAE’s decarbonization goals by connecting emissions sources and sequestration sites. The company said in a press release that the final investment decision follows a recent announcement by ADNOC to double its carbon capture capacity target to 10 MPTA of CO2 by 2030.

The first EPC contract for the offshore facilities includes facilities on artificial islands and subsea pipelines. It has been awarded to a joint venture between National Petroleum Construction Company and Saipem S.p.A.

The second EPC contract will deliver the onshore scope, including CO2 and sulphur recovery and handling. It has been awarded to Tecnimont S.p.A.

The two EPC contracts were signed at ADIPEC. Over 60 percent of the investment value of the entire project will flow back into the UAE’s economy under ADNOC’s In-Country Value (ICV) program. The company is committed to ensuring that the contracts it awards contribute more economic value to the country.

Carbon capture:

The project aims to operate with net zero carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This reinforces ADNOC’s legacy of responsible energy production, net zero by 2045 ambition, and accelerated decarbonization plan.

The Hail and Ghasha development design combines innovative decarbonization technologies into one integrated solution. The project will capture 1.5 MTPA of CO2 taking ADNOC’s committed investment for carbon capture capacity to almost 4 MPTA. The CO2 will be captured, transported onshore, and safely stored underground, while low-carbon hydrogen is produced that can replace fuel gas and further reduce emissions. The project will also leverage clean power from nuclear and renewable sources from the grid, the company said in a press release.

Abdulmunim Al Kindy, Executive Director, ADNOC Upstream, said, “The project will drive in-country value, provide highly skilled career opportunities for UAE Nationals, and stimulate socio-economic growth for the nation. Natural gas is an important transition fuel and ADNOC will continue to responsibly unlock its gas resources to enable gas self-sufficiency for the UAE. This initiative grow our export capacity, and support global energy security.”

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ESS Framework

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6 key highlights from the new ESS framework

Sonal Desai

The Ministry of Power has released a detailed framework to reshape the nation’s energy sector, to boost energy storage systems (ESS).

The blueprint includes measures like financial incentives and regulatory revisions to foster ESS. The guidelines also provide a risk-sharing framework for stakeholders involved in energy storage procurement.

Here are the six key highlights from the framework:

1. VGF and Green funds:
One of the most significant proposals within the framework is the introduction of the Viability Gap Funding (VGP). The VGP is aimed at supporting battery energy storage systems (BESS) projects by reducing the levelized cost of storage. The VGF could be up to 40% of the project’s capital cost, with the project commissioned within 18-24 months. This would make BESS a viable option for peak power management and reduce costs for large-scale capacity expansion.

The government can accelerate the establishment of the ESS industry through Concessional Green Finance, sovereign Green Bonds, and long-term loans from financial institutions like PFC, REC, and IREDA, according to the framework.

2. Green jobs:
India’s energy demand surge and shift towards renewable energy sources present opportunities for emerging ESS technologies.

Domestic innovation and manufacturing can stimulate job creation, economic growth, and position India as a global leader in sustainable and low-carbon energy systems.

A Saur Energy report estimates that rapid transition to clean energy could create 1.5 crore new jobs by 2025 from the business as usual scenario.

3. Collaboration and GTM:
Investing in R&D of ESS technologies can enhance efficiency and make them cost-effective for commercial use. Collaboration between academia and industry, a nodal agency, and training institutes can help address the need for long-term research and development.

The Central government plans to allow energy storage systems (ESS) developers and agencies to offer various market-based products, including spot energy markets, capacity markets, and storage. The government also plans to introduce rules for Time of Day Tariff to incentivize ESS adoption. The government may create a PLI Scheme for ESS, issue an approved list of models and manufacturers, and establish a pilot scheme for demonstration projects. Assistance from the Power System Development Fund may be provided for two pilot ESS projects.

4. Energy security:
The Indian Ministry of Power has released guidelines to promote the growth of Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) and enhance energy security. The guidelines include transparent site selection criteria, self-identification of off-river sites, market reforms, concessionary government land, exemption from free power obligations, rationalization of environmental clearances, and depleted use of mines.

For example, for projects up to 200 MW and for projects over 200 MW, the Central Government is offering budgetary support, including PSPs up to Rs 1.5 crore/MW and up to Rs 1 crore/MW.

5. Storage:
To encourage the best development, the Central Government is promoting a variety of established and developing Energy Storage (ESS) technologies.

To assist utilities, purchasers, and developers in creating ESS projects for the Indian power sector that are both economically feasible and environmentally sustainable, they may announce technology-agnostic bidding guidelines for LDES, SDES, and ancillary services. Both per megawatt hour and composite tariffs may be used in the bidding process.

In addition to facilitating connectivity to intra-state transmission and distribution systems, the Central Electricity Authority and Central Transmission Utility may give priority to connecting Energy Storage Systems (ESS) to the closest Inter State Transmission (ISTS).

6. Circular economy:
To move from a linear to a circular economy, the end-of-life management plan for end-of-life, ESS projects can be included in the bid documents.

By collaborating with businesses that specialize in recycling used batteries, manufacturers can encourage battery reuse and reduce waste. E-waste collection can be facilitated by specialized waste management facilities, and producers now have extended producer responsibility due to the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022.

Standard operating procedures and a mechanism for reusing ESS parts can be established. It is possible to address environmental issues and guarantee regulatory compliance. Mines that have been abandoned can be converted to hydro storage facilities for PSP development.

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Energy, Manufacturing

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RIL’s green push to solve the energy trilemma

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Mukesh Ambani—the Chairman and Managing Director, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) outlined plans to solve the energy trilemma.

The energy trilemma encompasses three elements: affordable energy; energy sustainability and; energy security.

Speaking to investors at the company’s 46th AGM, Mr Ambani reiterated the company’s objective to have an installed renewable energy (RE) capacity of 100 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 and be net carbon zero by 2035.

It must be noted that the company has committed to double its investment for green energy to ₹1.5 trillion to align itself with global sustainable practices and expand its renewable energy portfolio.

“Reliance’s new energy and new materials business squarely addresses this trilemma. Green energy is becoming affordable because its costs are already much less than those of non-renewables, and they will come down further. Green energy is sustainable because the sun and wind are never going to disappear. Green energy is secure because India will no longer be dependent on large-scale imports for its energy needs,” Mr Ambani said at the AGM.

We list below some new announcements and initiatives:
Manufacturing:
RIL simultaneously set up a fully-integrated, automated, giga-scale electrolyser manufacturing facility for batteries at the Dhirubhai Ambani Green Energy Giga Complex in Jamnagar, by 2026.

The facility will produce battery chemicals, cells, packs and containerised energy storage systems, and will also include a battery recycling facility.

Batteries:
RIL will start manufacturing lithium iron phosphate battery or LFP battery which has been proven at scale for its safety, stability, and life. The company targets to produce LFP based solutions at world beating lifecycle costs.

The organization is focused on fast-track commercialisation its sodium ion battery technology. “We will build on our technology leadership position by industrialising sodium ion cell production at megawatt level by 2025, and rapidly scale up to giga scale thereafter,” Mr Ambani said at AGM.

Green Energy and renewables:
With the manufacturing set-up in place, RIL will leverage its EPC capabilities to accelerate and enable installation of at least 100 GW of renewable energy generation by 2030.

Commenting on RIL’s focus on green energy, Mr Ambani said, “Our first priority is to deliver a fully-integrated, end-to-end Solar PV manufacturing ecosystem. This will be one of the largest, most technologically advanced, flexible, and most cost-competitive Solar giga factory globally, and will be converting sand into Solar PV modules.

The solar giga factory will include manufacturing of PV modules, cells, wafers and ingots, polysilicon, and glass at a single location in Jamnagar. Plans are afoot to bring the factory on-stream in a phased manner by the end 2025.

On the wind energy front, the company has mega plans to upscale the infrastructure to generate gigawatt-scale, cost-effective wind power.

“One of the significant cost drivers in the manufacturing of wind blades is carbon fibre. Our foray into manufacturing carbon fibre at large scale provides us with a unique advantage to further integrate and reduce cost of wind turbines. In addition, we will be partnering with the world’s leading technology players in wind equipment manufacturing to deliver most cost-efficient solutions,” Mr Ambani said.

Alternate fuel:
Mr Ambani emphasized the importance of clean and sustainable energy, and highlighted the criticality to transition to clean fuel.

On this he said, “… This year, we commissioned one of the most complex and cost-efficient deep-water projects of this scale – the MJ Field, in KG-D6 Block. This includes a state-of-the-art FPSO which is among the largest and the most complex in the world with a gas production capacity of 14 MMSCMD. We are well on our way to enhance production to 30 MMSCMD, which will be 30% of India’s gas production and 15% of its current gas demand.”

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Indian aviation opens wings to sustainability with SAF

Sonal Desai

The uptake of sustainable aviation fuel aka SAF is on the rise in India.

The effort is a part of the Indian aviation segment’s endeavor to enable the Government of India’s commitment at the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) that India will achieve the target of net zero emissions by 2070.

Statistics:
With India becoming the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world, it will overtake the UK to become the third-largest air passenger market by 2024, according to IBEF.

India’s consumption of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) is expected to grow by almost 17 per cent year-on-year to 8.61 million tonnes (MT) in the next fiscal year beginning April 2023, an indication that air travel in the world’s fourth-biggest market will surpass pre-pandemic levels for the first time, according to a report.

On their part, major domestic as well as global players are coming together to develop the infrastructure and further R&D.

For instance, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is building a Rs 1,000 crore ($122 million) sustainable aviation fuel plant. The plant to be built at IOC’s Panipat refinery will utilize alcohol to jet technology developed by LanzaJet.

The IOC-LanzaJet partnership:
This partnership will strengthen India’s transition to cleaner fuels and help achieve the country’s carbon reduction goal.

During the MoU signing ceremony, Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, Chairman, Indian Oil, said, “Indian Oil is the leader in India’s aviation fuel segment and as we move forward on the path to achieve net-zero operational emissions by 2046, we aim to enhance our basket of lower carbon fuels. This partnership will be another step in this direction which would accelerate India’s commitment to become Net Zero by 2070. Creating an ecosystem of SAF in India will help accelerate the energy transition and this would ensure our leadership position in the sustainable fuel segment as well.”

“As one of the largest population centres in the world experiencing rapid growth of energy consumption and travel, India is a critically important market as our world grapples with energy security, climate change, and economic growth challenges,” said Jimmy Samartzis, CEO, LanzaJet. “Our partnership with Indian Oil Corporation is key to decarbonizing the aviation industry by enabling this region of the world to have increased access to sustainable fuel alternatives through our alcohol-to-jet technology using Indian waste and ethanol sources.”

It must be noted that IOC has also signed an initial deal to boost production capacity for SAF with another biotechnology provider Praj Industries, along with biodiesel, ethanol, and compressed biogas.

What are the other stakeholders doing?
• SpiceJet operated the first flight using SAF, with a blend of 75% aviation turbine fuel and 25% bio-jet fuel made from Jatropha plants in August 2018.
• The Indian Air Force recently used SAF in their aircrafts.
• Indigo became the first international flight to be operated by any Indian carrier using SAF.
• Many enterprises including Indigo, Air India, AirAsia India and Vistara have partnered with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) to collaborate on the research and development of SAF.
• SpiceJet and the GMR group are partnering with Boeing and other companies for the development and use of SAF.

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